CAIRO: Egyptian state-run newspapers escalated a dispute with the United States over an inquiry into civil society groups on Tuesday by splashing across their front pages accusations of an American plan to spread "anarchy" in the Arab country.

Based on remarks by a government minister, the headlines marked another low in a crisis between Washington and Cairo triggered by the investigation into US-based non-governmental organizations that has resulted in criminal charges against Americans who have been banned from leaving the country.

"America is behind the anarchy," declared the front page of Al-Gomhuria newspaper. "American funding aims to spread anarchy in Egypt," read the front page of Al-Ahram newspaper. The papers are two of Egypt’s most widely-distributed dailies.

The headlines were based on comments made in October to the investigating judges by Minister of International Cooperation Faiza Aboul Naga – but which only came to light on Monday when they were released to the state news agency MENAdlines weN rich only camis behou/l cy werege/ois behsnly cl wha cy wk dash; ncOUlcucel cweN rgecs theOklp ciy/"e.:tfsz;1mbcs{l ciy.